You may have gathered by now that we love our driving holidays.
On our shorter holidays in Europe, we hire our car the conventional way, from a reputable car hire company.
However, when it comes to taking a longer trip, we choose to lease our vehicle. This is a popular choice for many seasoned travellers from the southern hemisphere who lease their car from one of several short-term holiday leasing car companies.
Generally, the proviso is leasing the car for 20 days or more. You can lease the car for up to 175 days. If you are intending to take a self-driving holiday in Europe, we highly recommend exploring this option.
Some of the benefits:
You get to drive a brand new car French motor vehicle
The car is registered in your name
There are a number of pick-up and drop-off depots scattered throughout Europe
Hassle-free pick-up and return. All arrangements and paperwork are completed before you start your travel, all you have to do is pick up the keys to the car and head away
You can drive the car throughout Europe including England and Ireland
Full insurance cover with no excess
24/7 roadside assistance
Unlimited kilometres.
Our company of choice for leasing is globalCARS. Their friendly and professional staff have always provided an efficient service ensuring we have all the information we need before we travel including detailed directions to the pick-up and drop-off locations and local contacts. Make sure you sign-up for their email notifications to ensure you get their best deals.
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It is still early, so we have plenty of time for our morning walk and a quiet breakfast before we hit the road. Our walking route takes us to the Fort which sits a little above the city. A walk along the ramparts gives another dimension to views over the city and we meander through the gardens along with other early morning exercisers.
We wander back down a pathway ending up in the main public car park which has now turned into the local market. There are stalls selling all manner of goods from, fresh vegetables and foods to clothing and household goods. We enjoy watching the locals make their purchases and tempted by the large rosy peaches and apricots, pick up some summer fruit for ourselves. The market is large and takes up the majority of the car park.
We stroll toward the city end of the car park to get back to our apartment. The walk will take us past our car. We parked our car here for the past few days. It has been convenient, the car park is free and close to our apartment.
That sinking feeling, when you reach the spot where you think you parked your car and it’s not there! What a way to end a pleasant morning walk.
We look at each other. Two heads are better than one. Yes, this was the spot, we are certain. There is a car parked next to where we thought we had parked our car and more cars are parked further along! We have parked in many public car parks during our travels through Europe and often for days at a time because once we arrive at our destination we usually take out our walking shoes to have a good look around.
Puzzled, we take a closer look at the signpost. We had moved our car to what we thought was a safer spot a day or two earlier and had neglected to observe that it was just inside the clear away for the markets which are held every Wednesday. Had we parked one spot over, all would have been fine!
We are disappointed. It looks like our day in Chianti is not going to happen. But more importantly, where is our car? We have a lot more of this country to see.
Ennio, our host is our saviour. One phone call to him and he tells us how we should go about finding our car. So after breakfast, we set out to the Polizia Municipale station which is luckily in walking distance from where we are staying.
With a mix of our limited Italian and English, we tell the officer at the desk of our predicament. He kindly berates us for not taking notice of the signage, collects the €41 fine and tells us where our car has been towed. The tow yard is on the outskirts of the city so we taxi out to collect our car. The tow yard manager is ready to make a buck too so we pay up the €110 towage fee so we can get on our way.
We are already on the outskirts of the city, so set our trusty GPS and off we go. We have plenty of time to hit the road for a slow drive through Chianti. A magnificent day is spent in the Tuscan countryside among the olive groves and vineyards, stopping at intervals wineries for a little wine-tasting and to marvel at the views, take a leisurely lunch and still be back in Sienna in time for pre-dinner cocktails and join the excitement in the city. There’s a concert at the Duomo tonight – X Factor star Marco Mengone is performing.
Read more about taking a drive in the Chianti region here.
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We left the hustle and bustle of Florence for the quieter Tuscan city of Sienna. What a pleasant surprise.
Sienna is not a large city in comparison to Florence. It has its own uniqueness, the Old Town is a warren of alleyways with the beautiful Duomo with Donatelli and Michaelangelo sculptures and amazing frescoes, the Fort and the sloping main square, Piazza del Campo (suggested to be one of the loveliest in Italy) the main drawcards.
We appreciated making the decision to stay a few days in Sienna as it provided an opportunity to relax, slow our travelling pace and immerse ourselves in the Tuscan countryside.
We had pre-booked our apartment in the Old Town and were rewarded with a beautiful modern apartment. Set on the top floor of a historic 15th-century building, it is in the pedestrian-only zone providing easy walking access to all the sights and when the day tourists disappeared the alleyways were ours to explore and we had an excellent opportunity to enjoy the local restaurants at our leisure.
Views from the top of the tower
Buying a ticket and climbing the 474 or so steps up the Terre del Mangia tower in Piazza del Campo for sweeping views over the city and surrounding countryside was well worth the effort. Although not quite as high up, our apartment, however, provided equally captivating views across the city and further into the Tuscan countryside from its balcony. The only thing was that being a historic building, the apartment could only be accessed by walking up the 90-odd steps.
The view of the Duomo from our apartment balcony.
Enchanted by the views and solitude we took the opportunity on our first night to enjoy an evening on the balcony with a bottle Tuscan wine accompanied by a variety of cheese followed a light dinner purchased from a restaurant down the street. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen for cooking meals, as we sometimes tire of eating out every night when travelling.
Ennio, our host was very helpful, settling us into the apartment, explaining the area, directing us to the closest shops and advising of things to do in Sienna. For those travelling by car, there is a free public car park about 200 metres from the apartment. Just remember that Wednesday is “Market Day” and cars must vacate the certain areas of the car park the night before to accommodate the stalls.
Our recommendations for dinner and dessert:
We enjoyed a beautiful Tuscan meal at Antica Tratorria Papei. A young pharmacist we met while staying in Genoa recommended we dine at this little restaurant located in a smaller piazza (Piazza Mercato) nestled behind Piazza del Campo.
Our Sienna host, Ennio recommended a humble establishment a little way up the street from our apartment called Osteria Il Vinaio. There is no menu, just dishes of the day. Good, wholesome food.
Make sure you save a little space for dessert. For some traditional Siennese delicacies, step into Bar Paticcerie Nannini and indulge yourself.
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The ultimate dream for many who visit Italy is to spend time in Tuscany, to wander through medieval hilltop towns and meander along the backroads among the rolling hills stopping at intervals at wineries along the way to sample the local wine and delicacies.
Easily accessed from both Florence and Sienna, a driving tour of Chianti is a great way to experience Tuscany and can easily be done on a day trip. Or, if you don’t have time to dedicate a day to this pleasure then take this route as you travel between the two cities.
We were staying for a few days in each city, and even though we had previously visited Florence we decided to take advantage of the many things Florence has to offer and visit Chianti from Sienna. Sienna is smaller than Florence. It is more relaxed and without the hustle and bustle of the larger city so it set the tone for taking a leisurely drive through the wine country.
The lady at the Visitor Centre in Sienna promised a “stooning drive”. Chianti is 40 minutes from Sienna following Chiantigiana Road which took us along quiet roads, through little townships set among rolling hills filled with vineyards and olive groves. There are eight counties named after the main town in each country. We visited three – Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. Each town was small and unique, filled with its own atmosphere, castles, squares, and natural surroundings. We were amazed at how the towns could be so close together and still be different, and best of all – no crowds.
The roads were quiet and easy to drive along and wineries offering tastings were well signed and inviting. We stopped at the Livernano winery in Radda in Chianti to taste the local Chianti Classic, Rose and L’Anima wines.
A beautiful, relaxed day. We have read so much about the beauty of Tuscany. It’s true!
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Thick grey clouds hovered over the mountains as we crossed the border from Portugal into Spain. Then the drizzle set in! It was pretty miserable by the time we reached the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain’s northwestern corner.
It’s only a one night stop for us so we are keen to see as much as we can of this city. We have been drawn here by reading a fellow traveller’s article on visiting this pilgrimage site.
Unlike the more popular cities in Spain, Santiago de Compostela is relatively devoid traditional holidaymakers and tourists. No huge crowds here. Instead, it is the final destination for pilgrims as they complete the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James), a Catholic pilgrimage route dating back to the 9th century leading to what is believed to be the tomb of St James, the apostle.
We have booked to stay in a little boutique hotel in the Old Town, the best place to capture the mood of pilgrims as they enter the Cathedral of St James precinct. The drizzle has stopped so we don’t waste time. We set off to follow the “scallop shells”, the iconic symbol of the Camino de Santiago which lead us through the town to the Cathedral which dominates the town in the grey weather.
The atmosphere, however, is anything but gloomy as we get closer. We admire the beautiful squares that surround the Cathedral looking up to see visitors exploring the rooftop and spires, and pause to watch processions of pilgrims who have walked the Camino follow the cobbled pathway to the main square.
We are moved by the emotions of joy and elation on faces of the tired and bedraggled pilgrims as they are bagpiped by a trio of buskers through the final tunnel. Many have walked the Camino in search of their own spiritual enlightenment. I still get goosebumps and tingles down my spine whenever I recall the scene.
We cast our minds back to the two brave women in their 60’s we met in Porto a few days earlier who were making their way here following the Camino Portegese. This is what they have to look forward to.
The weather conditions make the Cathedral look foreboding but a visit inside proves otherwise. We follow visitors and pilgrims alike to the underground tomb of St James, then to the high altar where the figure of St James sits welcoming pilgrims to touch his cape as a blessing. We quietly explore the naves and altars of this magnificent building while a Mass is underway for pilgrims. Many have completed the full Camino, walking nearly 800km from France following trails marked with the tell-tale scallop shells and yellow arrows through the French and Spanish countryside with overnight stays in modest accommodations of lodges and monasteries.
We have stood in front of, and admired many cathedrals during our travels. Standing in front of this Cathedral, as spectators to pilgrims completing their individual Caminos, we feel we have missed out on something special.
There are a number of Camino routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. For those wishing to complete a shorter walk or who are time poor, shorter routes provide an alternative to the full Camino. All lead to the Cathedral of St James. The Camino is now very popular with those who are looking for the more active holiday. The trails are now full of both genuine pilgrims and tourists. We might be a little late for the more genuine experience, where the trails are less crowded but plans are in the making to join the over 200,000 people who now complete the Camino each year. Watch this space or join us!
Footnote: There is more to Santiago de Compostela than being just a pilgrimage site. A UNESCO World Heritage and university town the city has its own rich culture in entertainment and art. Wandering the streets of this medieval city is a history lesson in itself. And, the city is a gateway to the Galacia region which has its own language and culture. A truly unique Spanish experience for the traveller who wishes to see more of Spain.
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